Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters responded to a fire on North Pole Road, North Kensington.
A flat on the second floor, in a residential block of three floors, has been destroyed by fire. One of the Brigade's 32 metre ladders was deployed to the scene as part of our response.
Six people were rescued from the building by crews utilising 13.5 metre ladders. A further three residents were rescued by crews wearing Breathing Apparatus via an internal staircase. Two residents were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Services as a precaution, and there are no reports of any further injuries. Around 40 people were evacuated from the building whilst crews responded, and were relocated to a rest centre.
Control officers carried out a number of Fire Survival Guidance calls with residents in the block as crews responded, providing safety advice whilst crews carried out rescue operations.
The Brigade received the first of 15 calls reporting the incident at 2326 and control officers mobilised crews from North Kensington, Hammersmith, Kensington and surrounding fire stations to the scene. Firefighters were able to bring the incident under control by 0056.
Speaking from the scene, Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: "At 2322, firefighters were mobilised to reports of a fire on North Pole Road, North Kensington. The first fire engines arrived on scene within four minutes, and crews immediately set to work carrying out firefighting operations.
"Not long after arriving, firefighters recognised the complex nature of this incident and that a number of rescues would need to be carried out. Additional resources were requested, and eventually 12 fire engines and around 80 firefighters would be deployed to the scene.
"Thanks to the quick thinking of our firefighters, six people were rescued from windows and balconies by firefighters utilising their 13.5 metre ladders. Whilst these rescues were happening outside, a further three people were rescued via the internal staircase by crews wearing Breathing Apparatus.
"Throughout the incident, our firefighters were supported by their colleagues in the Brigade’s Control Room. Control officers carried out a number of Fire Survival Guidance calls with residents in the building, as crews responded outside.
"I’d like to thank our firefighters and staff for their handwork and determination in responding to this incident. I’d also like to thank our colleagues from the London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police Service for their support at the scene.
"The cause of this fire is now under investigation by the Brigade’s specialist fire investigators."